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Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Recap: "Going the Distance for Love"

On tonight's episode of 19 Kids and Counting, "Going the Distance for Love"...

Before Jim Bob and Jill head out for the airport, Jill
receives a romantic, handwritten letter from Derick.

Derick grew up 45 minutes from the Duggars in Rogers,
Arkansas, earned an accounting degree at Oklahoma State University, and then spent
two years doing humanitarian work in Nepal. Update: he is now in Seminary.

How did Derick and Jill become friends? Jim Bob set them up!
After getting to know Derick as a prayer partner, Jim Bob gave him Jill's
number and encouraged him to give her a call.

Jill texted and video chatted with Derick for three months before
traveling 8,000 miles to meet him in person. "Even for a Duggar, this is
pretty weird," says Jana.

After traveling 36 hours, Jim Bob and Jill finally arrive in
Katmandu, Nepal. "My anticipation is through the roof," says Jill,
who is trying not to get her hopes up but admits she would be very sad if
things didn't work out with Derick.

When Derick comes into view, Jill runs to give him a side
hug, and he gives her a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

"I couldn't believe it," says Derick. "I
thought I was still dreaming. I've never been that excited before."

The next day, Derick takes Jim Bob and Jill sightseeing.
"I'm excited to explore this area with Derick, mostly because I get to
spend time with him," says Jill.

"I really felt like a third wheel," admits Jim
Bob. He stays 20 feet behind the couple, so as not to "disrupt their
relationship." Jim Bob wants to get to know his potential son-in-law but
also wants Jill to be able to spend time talking with Derick one-on-one.

"Jill is ultimately the one in charge of the
relationship, but I know she values my input," says Jim Bob.

Back at home, Josie has a meltdown, and Michelle has to
remind her that "the world does not revolve around Josie."

Michelle takes Jessa out to Mama Carmen's coffee shop to
talk about Ben. "It's been good," says Jessa. "I'm missing him
though. I haven't seen him for about five days." Although Ben lives
three-and-a-half hours south, he and Jessa see each other twice a month.

Jessa values the time she gets to spend with her mom. "She's
not just my mom, but she's also one of my best, closest friends."

At the end of the show, Derick pulls Jim Bob aside and seeks his blessing to ask Jill to begin a courtship.

"I know Jill really likes you," Jim Bob tells
Derick. "I wish Michelle was here, too, so I could talk to her." But
he ends up granting Derick permission. "I really feel that if Jill is fine
with this, then Mom and I will be fine with it," Jim Bob adds, giving
Derick a quick side hug.

Here's Jill's take on the situation: "At this point,
I'm really enjoying getting to know him. But if Derick asked me to court him, I
don't know, actually. I'm still praying a lot."

56 comments:

I think JimBob did a good job of giving Jill and Derrick space to talk. I think they will be happy together and so glad Derrick has life experience and a degree. Seems he will be able to take good care of Jill!

Hi, Im really glad you are all having fun on TV but as a Chilean person who's language was Spanish as my first language I really wish Jim Bob would not go around the world like Japan and Nepal and half chop the Spanish language as he does comprehend that those countries do not speak that language. It is disrespectful to Spanish speaking people and to the Japanese as well as Nepalese people to try to half chop our language where it is not even spoken.

Any idea why no new seasons have been released on DVD? We don't get TLC and have so enjoyed the past seasons. No new seasons have been made available. Thanks we love the blog and all the works you gals put into if.The T. Family

I don't know that Jessa should change how she naturally responds to affection from Ben. She is who she is. Although, improving one self is a good thing. Trying to change one's self doesn't always workout, one will go back to their natural tendencies. I pray they can determine God's discernment in their life and not try to force it to work if it's not meant to be. Opposites can and do work out beautifully so maybe they will too.

What a wonderful father to take his daughter across the world to see the man she loves.All girls should be so lucky to have a dad so present in their lives.That was probably the sweetest episode i have seen yet.I would take an overprotective Pop,then an absent, no child support paying one any day.

I am so glad for Jill that she has such happiness in her relationship with Derick. Thank-you for sharing this lovely story. Just like Michelle says about Jim Bob, "She could not imagine anyone better".

Haha. I KNOW they are now engaged to be married, but in the show, it appeared that she might not accept his request to court, at least right then. My stomach seized up and I felt so sorry for him. Like maybe she decided to wait until she got home. Of course I appreciate the gravity of the situation and wanting to make sure, but my heart just went out to him.....probably just editing..haha. I want to see the next one really badly..haha.

I think that The whole Duggar clan have to be the nicest,sweetest people, on the planet.What i dont understand,is why that bothers so many.Just because they live differently than the main stream.Why on earth would anyone feel the need to say mean things to these pure, kindest people who would never,never choose to be mean, rude or disrspectful to anyone.I say get to know them and your heart will change about these folks.Give them a chance to worm there way into your heart, like the have for so many of us.Godspeed!

you can just tell how much jill and derrick love each other. I pray God may bless their marriage. I also pray that they may move far from her family and Jill and derrick many not have 20 kids. but do mission work for Christ. and not hide their faith at home.

Derrick seems very genuine. I love that he's learned enough of the language to communicate! Keep the scruff! Very handsome. Jill seemed happy, but naturally a little nervous and shy...I don't blame her! They seem really right together. My only gripe, I didn't like that Jim Bob kept calling him THAT GUY....really! Why not Derrick? or the young man? I hope they enjoy many exciting travels and works of mercy together.

I hope Jill and Derrick will stay happy together. This system, IMO, requires two strangers, with no social experience to "hurry up" and decide to commit to one another.. Courting requires 99 o/o marriage results. It's too rigid for anyone to follow. Derrick, hopefully, has some experience in the social world which will help him, but hinder Jill. She is infatuated with her first crush as all of these kids are who are in this belief system. Like I said, I hope they stay happy together.

anon 9: I don't think that they are saying she needs to change, but everyone needs some kind of lessons in how to act in certain situations. We need to learn how to respond so that the person knows how we feel. As long as she tells Ben straight out how she feels then her regular reactions are fine, but she may need help with responding in ways that most people will understand.

Just watched off my DVR. What a cute story! Truly special memories they'll be able to share with their kids for years to come. They're a very cute couple! Congrats to Jill and Derrick! (Heather C Michigan)

also forgot to say - I totally agree with the commentor above. What an awesome thing for a dad to do and get to do with his daughter. This is also a trip for them (Jim Bob and Jill) that they'll cherish and remember as they all grow and move on to grown up lives away from home! (Heather C Michigan)

I think they are truly in love... so nice to see. I have to say though, jessa doesn't seem to be the same way. And who else is rooting for a Jana Duggar/Skylar Weiss courtship?!? He was at the bates house for the wedding and in DC for the holiday meal!! Coincidence? I don't think so. He looks about Jana's age, comes from a good family, and is super handsome. Praying for Jana to find love! If not with Skylar, then whoever God has for her!!!

Without their insight to gently and consistently discipline their children from very early ages I think Michelle and Jim Bob would not be fairing as well as they are now. The atmosphere in their house is so positive and joyful. Their household seems to be functioning very well to serve the needs of all the family members ages and stages of life.

Thank you, Lily and Ellie, for the blog! I loved this episode. Jill has always been so sweet. It is wonderful to see her so happy. If I could say one thing to Jessa, it would be to stay yourself! Don't try to act the way you think a man wants you to act. Michelle's advice to Jessa in the coffee shop was a little surprising to me, but was probably just edited in a strange way. Jessa is wonderful the way she is! ;) It doesn't appear to be in Jessa's nature to sweetly gush over Ben's romantic texts, and that's just fine. We're all different. Jessa is funny and direct and kind-hearted. Ben is a lucky man to have Jessa in his life, which I'm sure he knows very well. :) Love this family, and looking forward to next week's episode!

Anonymous @ 1:39I know Skylar Weiss! He is a family friend of ours and would love to see him get in a courtship with one of the girls! He was on a few episodes so I believe they may be "working him in" . He is 20 years old. And I agree has the good looks and wonderful character! He actually built a treehouse in my backyard!

Do these guys, Ben and Derrick, want to be ordained ministers? Is that what Jim Bob means when he says they have a "heart for the ministry"? I am not of a Christian faith whose clergy marry, so I am completely without knowledge on this. Thank you for your response.

@Izzy In response to the 2nd comment: I couldn't agree more as an Ph.D. educated American who lived more in Concepcion, Chile than America, about Jim Bob's naive insensitivity to Latin American culture. In reality, it is too often that Americans are unfortunately oblivious to the effects their actions have on global communities--this may be a reflect of our ego-centric upbringing and culture. I hope this show (and people therein) can serve to find a medium to equalize all communities and empower all of us around the globe to pursue what we believe is fair and just, despite our personal opinions. In reality, I may not agree with all of the Duggar's practices, but I strongly believe in the power of community organizing and support, which is clearly their primary mission in promoting the show (i.e. republican vs. democrat, pro-life vs. pro-choice) but really, who cares? we are all pro-happiness

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Welcome to the premiere source for factual, encouraging updates on Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids (TLC's 19 Kids and Counting & Counting On). Our site is not maintained by the Duggars, but we (Lily and Ellie) are personal friends of the family.